Nash, Marion stretch Suns' streak against Cavs
CLEVELAND, Ohio: Steve Nash and Shawn Marion each scored 23 points on Sunday as the Phoenix Suns stretched their National Basketball Association (NBA) win streak to 17 games by beating Cleveland 115-100.
Spoiling a 30-point performance from Cavaliers' star LeBron James, the Suns improved their NBA-best record to 36-8 and matched the seventh-longest win streak in league history.
LeBron James (23) of the |
"It means we're playing pretty good basketball but we still have some room to improve and that's what we're going to try and do," said Suns star forward Amare Stoudamire. "We're going to try to keep it going."
The Suns have not lost since December 28 and have dropped only two games since November 18 to achieve the longest NBA win streak since the Chicago Bulls won 18 in a row in the 1995-1996 season.
"It's just a swagger. I don't think it's the streak," Marion said. "It's more about us and the thought that we can't lose."
Nash added 15 assists without making a turnover while Marion grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and Stoudamire contributed 22 points for the Suns, who also had 19 points from Brazilian reserve Leandro Barbosa.
The Suns, whose former club record of 15 wins in a row was achieved earlier this season, passed the halfway mark toward the NBA record win streak of 33 games set by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1971-1972 season.
"We're proud of what we're doing. We do bring it out and give it a little sugar," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said.
The Suns led 58-56 at half-time and 91-87 after three quarters, turning up the pressure in the final minutes with their fast-paced attack.
An up-tempo rhythm and determined defensive work kept James in check. The superstar playmaker averages almost 32 points a game against the Suns, his best numbers against any NBA foe, but he couldn't stop a seventh Cavs loss in 10 games.
Phoenix will play a fifth road game in seven days Monday at Minnesota in quest of an 18th consecutive victory and could run the streak to 20 with home triumphs Thursday over San Antonio and Saturday over Utah.
The second-best NBA win streak of 20 in a row was established in 1948 by the now-defunct Washington Capitols and matched in 1971 by the Milwaukee Bucks.
AFP
(China Daily 01/30/2007 page24)
